Method of producing a flowering horticultural display

ABSTRACT

A method of producing a horticultural display containing more than one variety of the same or different species of flowering plant is disclosed. The plants are produced from unrooted cuttings that are rooted in a growth cell and cultivated in a single container so that the final product includes more than one plant species or more than one plant variety or both. A plant growth cell having rooting media and more than one plant cutting from more than one plant species or plant variety or both rooted therein is also disclosed. Further, a horticultural display having more than one plant of more than one plant species or plant variety or both initially rooted together from unrooted plant cuttings in a growth cell is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/031,371, filed Feb. 21, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,136,294 and entitled “Horticultural Display”, which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/265,958, filed on Nov. 6, 2008,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,891,134 and entitled “Methods of Producing aHorticultural Display”, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/080,528, filed on Jul. 14, 2008, all ofthe above disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to horticultural products, moreparticularly, to growth cells having more than one plant variety of thesame or different species rooted therein, horticultural displays, andmethods of producing the same.

2. Description of Related Art

Asexually reproduced horticultural products, particularly those marketedthrough retail stores, garden centers, and the like, are typicallyproduced from an unrooted plant cutting from a mother plant at a plantproduction facility. The unrooted plant cutting is placed in a growthcell or plug containing growth media and nutrients until roots areformed. The rooted cutting, in the growth cell, termed a liner, may thenbe distributed to a plant grower. The liner is typically transplantedinto a container and grown until the plant achieves a growth stagesuitable for distribution. At an intermediate growth stage, the pottedplant increases in size and develops foliage and is often termed apre-finished plant. Further growth generally results in flowering(depending on species) and further foliage development, at which stagethe plant is considered to be finished Growers generally sell thesefinished plants to the wholesalers, garden centers, or nurseries forultimate sale to the general public.

Finished displays of horticultural products often combine a plurality ofplants of the same or different species in a single container. Thecombination of different types of plants in a single container canprovide for a pleasing combination of flower color and/or foliage. Toprepare a mixed plant finished product, a grower selects eitherindividual rooted cuttings from different species or varieties, or both,or individual pre-finished plants from different species or varieties,or both, and places them together in a single container with sufficientsoil and nutrients to sustain growth and/or flowering as finishedplants. This involves choosing and combining plants of different speciesor varieties, or both, that are not yet flowering or sufficientlydeveloped and requires the grower to identify suitable plants that willnot only provide an attractive horticultural display together, but thatalso exhibit compatible growth characteristics with one another. Forindividual rooted cuttings or pre-finished plants that are notflowering, it is often difficult to determine a combination of plantsthat will provide an attractive display. Moreover, different plantspecies and variety types within a given species grow at different ratesand require different initial growth conditions. While certain plantsmay appear attractive together, they may not require sufficientlysimilar care (water, light, nutrients, etc.). As such, they may not beable to share a common container and achieve a uniform, finished growthstate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method of producing a horticulturaldisplay having the steps of: 1) selecting a plurality of unrooted plantcuttings from different plant species or different plant varieties, orboth; and 2) inserting the selected plant cuttings together in a singlegrowth cell to produce a plurality of rooted cuttings in the singlegrowth cell.

The present invention also includes a plant growth cell having rootingmedia and a plurality of plant cuttings that have been rooted togetheras a plurality of rooted cuttings in the rooting media, wherein theplant cuttings are of a plurality of different plant species ordifferent plant varieties, or both.

The present invention also includes a horticultural display having aplurality of plants of different species or different plant varieties,or both, initially rooted together from selected unrooted plant cuttingsin a single plant growth cell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of the method of the present invention;and

FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in relation to the production of aplurality of ornamental plants of different species or different plantvarieties, or both, in a single container. However, this is not meant tobe limiting. Other plant types may be produced as described herein,including flowering or non-flowering plants and food crops, such asherbs or vegetables. For purposes of the description hereinafter, it isto be understood that the invention may assume various alternativevariations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the plant species and varietytypes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of theinvention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristicsrelated to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered aslimiting.

Referring to FIG. 1, a method of producing a horticultural display 2B-2Eis provided by the present invention. The method is illustratedthroughout a series of phases indicated as A-E. Phase A illustratesunrooted plant cuttings, phase B illustrates rooted cuttings in a growthcell or liner, phase C illustrates pre-finished plants of the rootedcuttings, phase D illustrates finished plants of the rooted cuttings,and phase E illustrates a fuller display of the finished plants of phaseD. The method and these phases are discussed in greater detailhereinafter.

As illustrated at phase A, a plurality of unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6,8 from mother plants (not shown) of different plant species areselected. Three species are shown, but this is for example only, i.e.,at least two species may be used or four or more different species maybe used. Further, as discussed in more detail herein, two or morevarieties from the same species may be used. Generally, one unrootedplant cutting 4, 6, 8 from each species is used, but more than oneunrooted plant cutting 4, 6, 8 per species may be used. A cutting is avegetative portion of a plant (such as a leaf, stem or root) that, uponplacement in an appropriate environment, will form roots and shoots thatwill mature into a new plant. In one embodiment, the unrooted plantcuttings 4, 6, 8 are selected for combination as an attractivehorticultural display 2B-2E. The selections may also be made based, atleast in part, on compatibility of the growing conditions (i.e., amountof light, amount and frequency of watering, type of soil and nutrients)required for optimal growth and/or flower production. The selections mayalso be made based, at least in part, on a particular combination ofunrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 that will eventually exhibitcomplementary colors of flowers and/or foliage, contrasting colors offlower and/or foliage, or a combination thereof in the horticulturaldisplay 2B-2E. In one non-limiting embodiment, the unrooted plantcuttings 4, 6, 8 are selected from species of petunia calibrachoa,verbena, pelargonium, new guinea impatiens, osteospermum, begonia,poinsettia, argyranthemum, bacopa, bidens, fuchsia, chamaesyce, dahlia,diascia, lantana, lobelia, phlox, nemesia, sanvitalia, and scaevola. Forexample, the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 may be species of each ofpetunia, calibrachoa, and verbena. As another example, the unrootedplant cuttings 4, 6, 8 may be species of each of petunia, verbena, andchamaesyce.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 maybe selected by identifying plant species that have at least onecompatible growth characteristic. Further, a particular variety fromeach plant species may also be identified and selected, as varietieswithin the same species exhibit differing growth characteristics and/orcolor of foliage and/or flowers. The compatible growth characteristiccan be any one of rooting time, plant vigor, light requirements, waterrequirements, optimal rooting media, plant hormone requirements, or acombination thereof. Rooting time generally means the time it takes foran unrooted cutting to form and establish roots after insertion into agrowth media. Rooting time varies with the type of cutting, the speciesbeing rooted, and environmental conditions. By identifying plant speciesthat have at least one compatible growth characteristic, the selectedunrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 will exhibit sufficiently similar growthso that they may be grown together.

The selected unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 are inserted together in asingle growth cell and produce a plurality of respective rooted cuttings14, 16, 18 in the single growth cell 10 as illustrated at phase B.Rooted means that the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 have at leastbegun to grow and establish roots in the growth cell 10. The growth cell10 typically contains rooting media 12, such as potting soil, perlite,vermiculite, sphagnum, peat moss, clay, white pied, and combinationsthereof, along with any necessary water and optional nutrients to ensurethat roots form on the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 to yield therespective rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18. The rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18exhibit balanced growth, meaning that the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18exhibit similar rooting times and growth rate.

In a non-limiting embodiment, manipulating a rooting time of one or moreof the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 is performed before inserting theunrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 in the single growth cell 10 by applyinga growth modifier to one or more of the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8.Suitable growth modifiers include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: plant hormones, such as abscisic acid, auxins, cytokinins,ethylene, gibberellins, brassinolides, salicylic acid, jasmonates,signaling peptides, systemin, polyamines, nitric oxide, andstrigolactones. In a further non-limiting embodiment, a rooting hormone,such as indole-3-butyric acid, is applied to one or more of the unrootedplant cuttings 4, 6, 8 before inserting the unrooted plant cuttings 4,6, 8 in the single growth cell 10. The rooting hormone can be applied bydipping a selected one or more of the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8into the rooting hormone before inserting one or more of the unrootedplant cuttings 4, 6, 8 into the growth cell 10. This allows for aselected one or more of the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 that may beknown as a slow rooting species to speed up its rooting time andsufficiently match the rooting time of the remaining one or more of theunrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 that have a naturally faster rootingtime. By sufficiently matching rooting times and/or growth rates, it ismeant that the rooting times and/or growth rates are close enough sothat balanced growth of the plant species results.

In another non-limiting embodiment, altering plant vigor of one or moreof the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 is performed. Altering plant vigorinvolves restricting plant growth of selected one or more of the rootedcuttings 14, 16, 18. Restricting plant growth may be achieved bypinching new growth from a selected one or more of the rooted cuttings14, 16, 18. This allows for a selected one or more of the rootedcuttings 14, 16, 18 that may be known as a vigorous growing species toslow down its growth rate and sufficiently match the growth rate of theremaining one or more of the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 that have anaturally slower growth rate. In a further embodiment, altering plantvigor involves at least one of adjusting the pH of the growth cell 10,regulating light exposure to the growth cell 10, regulating thetemperature of the growth cell 10, and applying a growth modifier to oneor more of the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18. As discussed above, suitablegrowth modifiers include, but are not limited to, the following: planthormones, such as abscisic acid, auxins, cytokinins, ethylene,gibberellins, brassinolides, salicylic acid, jasmonates, signalingpeptides, systemin, polyamines, nitric oxide, and strigolactones.

Once the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 are sufficiently established, asillustrated at phase C, the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 are transferredto and grown together in a single container 20 to produce a plurality ofpre-finished plants 24, 26, 28, respectively, in a horticultural display2C in the single container 20. The rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 developinto respective pre-finished plants 24, 26, 28, generally without yetflowering. Due to the species selection, manipulation of the rootingtime of one or more of the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 and/or one ormore of the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18, alteration of the plant vigor ofone or more of the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 and/or one or more ofthe rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18, or a combination thereof, thehorticultural display 2C exhibits pre-finished plants 24, 26, 28 havingbalanced growth, meaning that the pre-finished plants 24, 26, 28 exhibitsimilar rooting times and growth rate. The horticultural display 2C is apre-finished product that is suitable for sale to retail stores, gardencenters, nurseries, plant wholesalers, and, in some instances, to thegeneral public.

As illustrated at phase D, the pre-finished plants 24, 26, 28 furthergrow and develop into finished plants 34, 36, 38, flowering or not,depending on plant species, while in container 20 (or another singlecontainer), thereby constituting a horticultural display 2D as afinished product that is ready for sale to the general public. Thefinished plants 34, 36, 38 may exhibit complementary colors of flowersand/or foliage, contrasting colors of flowers and/or foliage, or acombination thereof. In some instances, the horticultural display 2Billustrated at phase B or the horticultural display 2C illustrated atphase C may be sold or distributed commercially to the general public.However, many buyers from the general public prefer to see the flowersthereof and the horticultural display 2D illustrated at phase D is atthe growth stage of a typical commercial product. The productillustrated at phase D ultimately grows and flowers into a largerhorticultural display 2E as illustrated at phase E, usually aftertransplantation into a larger container 40.

As discussed herein, the method of the present invention results in ahorticultural display 2B-2E (illustrated at phases B, C, D or E) thatincludes more than one plant species, which have been cultivatedtogether from at least two unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8. Thehorticultural display 2B may comprise rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 (asillustrated at phase B), the horticultural display 2C may comprisepre-finished plants 24, 26, 28 (as illustrated at phase C), thehorticultural display 2D may comprise finished plants 34, 36, 38 (asillustrated at phase D) or the horticultural display 2E may comprisefuller finished plants 34, 36, 38 (as illustrated at phase E). Byproducing rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 of more than one species in asingle growth cell 10 and cultivating the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 ina single container 20, the resulting horticultural display 2C-2E isreadily prepared for the marketplace with plants that are botanicallycompatible and generally attractive together.

In one non-limiting example of the present invention, the unrooted plantcuttings 4, 6, 8 are a petunia species unrooted plant cutting 4, averbena species unrooted plant cutting 6, and a calibrachoa speciesunrooted plant cutting 8. These selections are made because they haveattractive complementary colors and can exhibit matching growth habitsand flowering times. However, the petunia species unrooted plant cutting4 naturally exhibits a moderate rooting time and plant vigor whencompared to the verbena species unrooted plant cutting 6 that naturallyexhibits strong plant vigor and the calibrachoa species unrooted plantcutting 8 that naturally exhibits a slow rooting time. Thus, before theinsertion of the three unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 into the singlegrowth cell 10, the calibrachoa species unrooted plant cutting 8 isdipped into a growth modifier, such as indole-3-butyric acid, a rootinghormone that helps to speed up its rooting time. Then, after the petuniaspecies unrooted plant cutting 4, verbena species unrooted plant cutting6, and calibrachoa species unrooted plant cutting 8 have been rootedtogether in the single plant growth cell 10 as petunia species rootedcutting 14, verbena species rooted cutting 16, and calibrachoa speciesrooted cutting 18, respectively, at least one pinching of new growthfrom the verbena species rooted cutting 16 is performed (atapproximately 12 days from rooting) to slow down its growth rate. As aresult of the selection of these three species and the manipulation ofthe rooting time of the calibrachoa species unrooted plant cutting 8 andthe alteration of the plant vigor of the verbena species rooted cutting16, the petunia species rooted cutting 14, verbena species rootedcutting 16, and calibrachoa species rooted cutting 18 exhibit balancedgrowth. As such, the resulting horticultural display 2C-2E containingthese three species of plants exhibits balanced growth. Similarmanipulation of rooting time and plant vigor of other species may beperformed in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention also includes a single plantgrowth cell 10 having rooting media 12 and a plurality of unrooted plantcuttings 4, 6, 8 that have been rooted together as a plurality of rootedcuttings 14, 16, 18, respectively, in the rooting media 12. The unrootedplant cuttings 4, 6, 8 from mother plants (not shown) are from aplurality of different plant species. Three species are shown, but thisis for example only, i.e., at least two species may be used or four ormore different species may be used. Generally, one unrooted plantcutting 4, 6, 8 from each species is used, but more than one unrootedplant cutting 4, 6, 8 per species may be used. In one embodiment, theunrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 are selected for combination as anattractive horticultural display 2B-2E. The selections may also be madebased, at least in part, on compatibility of the growing conditions(i.e., amount of light, amount and frequency of watering, type of soiland nutrients) required for optimal growth and/or flower production. Inone non-limiting embodiment, the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 areselected from species of petunia calibrachoa, verbena, pelargonium, newguinea impatiens, osteospermum, begonia, poinsettia, argyranthemum,bacopa, bidens, fuchsia, chamaesyce, dahlia, diascia, lantana, lobelia,phlox, nemesia, sanvitalia, and scaevola. For example, the unrootedplant cuttings 4, 6, 8 may be species of each of petunia calibrachoa,and verbena. As another example, the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 maybe species of each of petunia, verbena, and chamaesyce. The selectedunrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 are inserted together in a single growthcell 10 to produce a plurality of respective rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18in the single growth cell 10. The rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 exhibitbalanced growth, meaning that the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 exhibitsimilar rooting times and growth rate. The balanced growth is the resultof the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 having at least one compatible growthcharacteristic, such as rooting time, plant vigor, and a combinationthereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention also includes a horticulturaldisplay 2C having a plurality of pre-finished plants 24, 26, 28 or ahorticultural display 2D-2E having a plurality of finished plants 34,36, 38, respectively, of different plant species initially rootedtogether from selected unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 in a single plantgrowth cell 10. The pre-finished plants 24, 26, 28 or finished plants34, 36, 38 are from a plurality of different plant species. Threepre-finished plants 24, 26, 28 and three finished plants 34, 36, 38 areshown, but this is for example only, i.e., at least two or four or morepre-finished plants or finished plants may be produced from selectedunrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8. In one embodiment, the unrooted plantcuttings 4, 6, 8 are selected for combination as an attractivehorticultural display 2B-2E. The selections may also be made based, atleast in part, on compatibility of the growing conditions (i.e., amountof light, amount and frequency of watering, type of soil and nutrients)required for optimal growth and/or flower production. In onenon-limiting embodiment, the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 areselected from species of petunia calibrachoa, verbena, pelargonium, newguinea impatiens, osteospermum, begonia, poinsettia, argyranthemum,bacopa, bidens, fuchsia, chamaesyce, dahlia, diascia, lantana, lobelia,phlox, nemesia, sanvitalia, and scaevola. For example, the unrootedplant cuttings 4, 6, 8 may be species of each of petunia, calibrachoa,and verbena. As another example, the unrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 maybe species of each of petunia, verbena, and chamaesyce. The selectedunrooted plant cuttings 4, 6, 8 are inserted together in a single growthcell 10 to produce a plurality of respective rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18in the single growth cell 10. The rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 exhibitbalanced growth, meaning that the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 exhibitsimilar rooting times and growth rate. The balanced growth is the resultof the rooted cuttings 14, 16, 18 having at least one compatible growthcharacteristic, such as rooting time, plant vigor, and a combinationthereof.

Referring to FIG. 2, a method of producing a horticultural display2B′-2E′ is also provided by the present invention. The method isillustrated throughout a series of phases indicated as A-E. Phase Aillustrates unrooted plant cuttings, phase B illustrates rooted cuttingsin a growth cell or liner, phase C illustrates pre-finished plants ofthe rooted cuttings, phase D illustrates finished plants of the rootedcuttings, and phase E illustrates a fuller display of the finishedplants of phase D. The method and these phases are discussed in greaterdetail hereinafter.

As illustrated at phase A, a plurality of unrooted plant cuttings 4′,6′, 8′ from mother plants (not shown) of different varieties from aplant species are selected. Three different varieties from the samespecies are shown, but this is for example only, i.e., at least twodifferent varieties may be used or four or more different varieties maybe used. Generally, one unrooted plant cutting 4′, 6′, 8′ from eachvariety is used, but more than one unrooted plant cutting 4′, 6′, 8′ pervariety may be used. A cutting is a vegetative portion of a plant (suchas a leaf, stem or root) that, upon placement in an appropriateenvironment, will form roots and shoots that will mature into a newplant. In one embodiment, the unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ areselected for combination as an attractive horticultural display 2B′-2E′.The selections may also be made based, at least in part, oncompatibility of the growing conditions (i.e., amount of light, amountand frequency of watering, type of soil and nutrients) required foroptimal growth and/or flower production. The selections may also be madebased, at least in part, on a particular combination of unrooted plantcuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ that will eventually exhibit complementary colors offlowers and/or foliage, contrasting colors of flowers and/or foliage, ora combination thereof in the horticultural display 2B′-2E′. In onenon-limiting embodiment, the unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ areselected from varieties within species of petunia calibrachoa, verbena,pelargonium, new guinea impatiens, osteospermum, begonia, poinsettia,argyranthemum, bacopa, bidens, fuchsia, chamaesyce, dahlia, diascia,lantana, lobelia, phlox, nemesia, sanvitalia, and scaevola. For example,the unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ may be different varieties ofpetunia species.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′may be selected by identifying plant varieties that have at least onecompatible growth characteristic. Further, a particular variety may beidentified and selected, as varieties within the same species exhibitdiffering growth characteristics and/or color of foliage and/or flowers.The compatible growth characteristic can be any one of rooting time,plant vigor, light requirements, water requirements, optimal rootingmedia, plant hormone requirements, or a combination thereof. Rootingtime generally means the time it takes for an unrooted cutting to formand establish roots after insertion into a growth media. Rooting timevaries with the type of cutting, the species and particular varietybeing rooted, and environmental conditions. By identifying plantvarieties that have at least one compatible growth characteristic, theselected unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ will exhibit sufficientlysimilar growth so that they may be grown together.

The selected unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ are inserted together ina single growth cell 10′ and produce a plurality of respective rootedcuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ in the single growth cell 10′ as illustrated atphase B. Rooted means that the unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ haveat least begun to grow and establish roots in the growth cell 10′. Thegrowth cell 10′ typically contains rooting media 12′, such as pottingsoil, perlite, vermiculite, sphagnum, peat moss, clay, white pied, andcombinations thereof, along with any necessary water and optionalnutrients to ensure that roots form on the unrooted plant cuttings 4′,6′, 8′ to yield the respective rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′. The rootedcuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ exhibit balanced growth, meaning that the rootedcuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ exhibit similar rooting times and growth rate.

In a non-limiting embodiment, manipulating a rooting time of one or moreof the unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ is performed before insertingthe unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ in the single growth cell 10′ byapplying a growth modifier to one or more of the unrooted plant cuttings4′, 6′, 8′. Suitable growth modifiers include, but are not limited to,the following: plant hormones, such as abscisic acid, auxins,cytokinins, ethylene, gibberellins, brassinolides, salicylic acid,jasmonates, signaling peptides, systemin, polyamines, nitric oxide, andstrigolactones. In a further non-limiting embodiment, a rooting hormone,such as indole-3-butyric acid, is applied to one or more of the unrootedplant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ before inserting the unrooted plant cuttings4′, 6′, 8′ in the single growth cell 10′. The rooting hormone can beapplied by dipping a selected one or more of the unrooted plant cuttings4′, 6′, 8′ into the rooting hormone before inserting one or more of theunrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ into the growth cell 10′. This allowsfor a selected one or more of the unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′that may be known as a slow rooting variety to speed up its rooting timeand sufficiently match the rooting time of the remaining one or more ofthe unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ that have a naturally fasterrooting time. By sufficiently matching rooting times and/or growthrates, it is meant that the rooting times and/or growth rates are closeenough so that balanced growth of the plant varieties results.

In another non-limiting embodiment, altering plant vigor of one or moreof the rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ is performed. Altering plant vigorinvolves restricting plant growth of selected one or more of the rootedcuttings 14′, 16′, 18′. Restricting plant growth may be achieved bypinching new growth from a selected one or more of the rooted cuttings14′, 16′, 18′. This allows for a selected one or more of the rootedcuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ that may be known as a vigorous growing varietyto slow down its growth rate and sufficiently match the growth rate ofthe remaining one or more of the rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ that havea naturally slower growth rate. In a further embodiment, altering plantvigor involves at least one of adjusting the pH of the growth cell 10′,regulating light exposure to the growth cell 10′, regulating thetemperature of the growth cell 10′, and applying a growth modifier toone or more of the rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′. As discussed above,suitable growth modifiers include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: plant hormones, such as abscisic acid, auxins, cytokinins,ethylene, gibberellins, brassinolides, salicylic acid, jasmonates,signaling peptides, systemin, polyamines, nitric oxide, andstrigolactones.

Once the rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ are sufficiently established, asillustrated at phase C, the rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ aretransferred to and grown together in a single container 20′ to produce aplurality of pre-finished plants 24′, 26′, 28′, respectively, in ahorticultural display 2C′ in the single container 20′. The rootedcuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ develop into respective pre-finished plants 24′,26′, 28′, generally without yet flowering. Due to the variety selection,manipulation of the rooting time of one or more of the unrooted plantcuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ and/or one or more of the rooted cuttings 14′, 16′,18′, alteration of the plant vigor of one or more of the unrooted plantcuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ and/or one or more of the rooted cuttings 14′, 16′,18′, or a combination thereof, the horticultural display 2C′ exhibitspre-finished plants 24′, 26′, 28′ having balanced growth, meaning thatthe pre-finished plants 24′, 26′, 28′ exhibit similar rooting times andgrowth rate. The horticultural display 2C′ is a pre-finished productthat is suitable for sale to retail stores, garden centers, nurseries,plant wholesalers, and, in some instances, to the general public.

As illustrated at phase D, the pre-finished plants 24′, 26′, 28′ furthergrow and develop into finished plants 34′, 36′, 38′, flowering or not,depending on the plant varieties, while in container 20′ (or anothersingle container), thereby constituting a horticultural display 2D′ as afinished product that is ready for sale to the general public. Thefinished plants 34′, 36′, 38′ may exhibit complementary colors offlowers and/or foliage, contrasting colors of flowers and/or foliage, ora combination thereof. In some instances, the horticultural display 2B′illustrated at phase B or the horticultural display 2C′ illustrated atphase C may be sold or distributed commercially to the general public.However, many buyers from the general public prefer to see the flowersthereof and the horticultural display 2D′ illustrated at phase D is atthe growth stage of a typical commercial product. The productillustrated at phase D ultimately grows and flowers into a largerhorticultural display 2E′ as illustrated at phase E, usually aftertransplantation into a larger container 40′.

As discussed herein, the method of the present invention results in ahorticultural display 2B′-2E′ (illustrated at phases B, C, D or E) thatincludes more than one different variety of a plant species, which havebeen cultivated together from at least two unrooted plant cuttings 4′,6′, 8′. The horticultural display 2B′ may comprise rooted cuttings 14′,16′, 18′ (as illustrated at phase B), the horticultural display 2C′ maycomprise pre-finished plants 24′, 26′, 28′ (as illustrated at phase C),the horticultural display 2D′ may comprise finished plants 34′, 36′, 38′(as illustrated at phase D) or the horticultural display 2E′ maycomprise fuller finished plants 34′, 36′, 38′ (as illustrated at phaseE). By producing rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ of more than onedifferent variety of a plant species in a single growth cell 10′ andcultivating the rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ in a single container 20′,the resulting horticultural display 2C′-2E′ is readily prepared for themarketplace with plants that are botanically compatible and generallyattractive together.

In one non-limiting example of the present invention, the unrooted plantcuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ are a first variety of a petunia species unrootedplant cutting 4′, a second variety of a petunia species unrooted plantcutting 6′, and a third variety of a petunia species unrooted plantcutting 8′. These selections may be made because of attractivecomplementary or contrasting colors, matching growth habits, matchingflowering times, or a combination thereof. However, the first variety ofpetunia species unrooted plant cutting 4′ naturally exhibits a moderaterooting time and plant vigor when compared to the second variety ofpetunia species unrooted plant cutting 6′ that naturally exhibits strongplant vigor and the third variety of petunia species unrooted plantcutting 8′ that naturally exhibits a slow rooting time. Thus, before theinsertion of the three unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ into thesingle growth cell 10′, the third variety of petunia species unrootedplant cutting 8′ is dipped into a growth modifier, such asindole-3-butyric acid, a rooting hormone that helps to speed up itsrooting time. Then, after the first variety of petunia species unrootedplant cutting 4′, the second variety of petunia species unrooted plantcutting 6′, and the third variety of petunia species unrooted plantcutting 8′ have been rooted together in the single plant growth cell 10′as first variety of petunia species rooted cutting 14′, second varietyof petunia species rooted cutting 16′, and third variety of petuniaspecies rooted cutting 18′, respectively, at least one pinching of newgrowth from the second variety of petunia species rooted cutting 16′ isperformed (at approximately 12 days from rooting) to slow down itsgrowth rate. As a result of careful selection of the three differentvarieties of petunia species and the manipulation of the rooting time ofthe third variety of petunia species unrooted plant cutting 8′ and thealteration of the plant vigor of the second variety of petunia speciesrooted cutting 16′, the first variety of petunia species rooted cutting14′, second variety of petunia species rooted cutting 16′, and thirdvariety of petunia species rooted cutting 18′ exhibit balanced growth.As such, the resulting horticultural display 2C′-2E′ containing thesethree varieties of petunia species plants, exhibits balanced growth.Similar manipulation of rooting time and plant vigor of varieties ofother species may be performed in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention also includes a single plantgrowth cell 10′ having rooting media 12′ and a plurality of unrootedplant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ that have been rooted together as a pluralityof rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′, respectively, in the rooting media12′. The unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′, from mother plants (notshown) are from a plurality of different plant varieties of a plantspecies. Three varieties are shown, but this is for example only, i.e.,at least two varieties may be used or four or more different varietiesmay be used. Further, one or more varieties of one or more differentplant species may also be provided and prepared via the methodsdescribed herein. Generally, one unrooted plant cutting 4′, 6′, 8′ fromeach variety is used, but more than one unrooted plant cutting 4′, 6′,8′ per variety may be used. In one embodiment, the unrooted plantcuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ are selected for combination as an attractivehorticultural display 2B′-2E′. The selections may also be made based, atleast in part, on compatibility of the growing conditions (i.e., amountof light, amount and frequency of watering, type of soil and nutrients)required for optimal growth and/or flower production. In onenon-limiting embodiment, the unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ areselected from varieties of species of petunia calibrachoa, verbena,pelargonium, new guinea impatiens, osteospermum, begonia, poinsettia,argyranthemum, bacopa, bidens, fuchsia, chamaesyce, dahlia, diascia,lantana, lobelia, phlox, nemesia, sanvitalia, and scaevola. For example,the unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ may be different varieties ofcalibrachoa species. The selected unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ areinserted together in a single growth cell 10′ to produce a plurality ofrespective rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ in the single growth cell 10′.The rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ exhibit balanced growth, meaning thatthe rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ exhibit similar rooting times andgrowth rate. The balanced growth is the result of the rooted cuttings14′, 16′, 18′ having at least one compatible growth characteristic, suchas rooting time, plant vigor, and a combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention also includes a horticulturaldisplay 2C′ having a plurality of pre-finished plants 24′, 26′, 28′ or ahorticultural display 2D′-2E′ having a plurality of finished plants 34′,36′, 38′, respectively, of different plant varieties of a plant speciesinitially rooted together from selected unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′,8′ in a single plant growth cell 10′. The pre-finished plants 24′, 26′,28′ or finished plants 34′, 36′, 38′ are from a plurality of differentvarieties of a plant species. Three pre-finished plants 24′, 26′, 28′and three finished plants 34′, 36′, 38′ are shown, but this is forexample only, i.e., at least two or four or more pre-finished plants orfinished plants may be produced from selected unrooted plant cuttings4′, 6′, 8′. In one embodiment, the unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′are selected for combination as an attractive horticultural display2B′-2E′. The selections may also be made based, at least in part, oncompatibility of the growing conditions (i.e., amount of light, amountand frequency of watering, type of soil and nutrients) required foroptimal growth and/or flower production. In one non-limiting embodiment,the unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ are selected from varieties ofspecies of petunia calibrachoa, verbena, pelargonium, new guineaimpatiens, osteospermum, begonia, poinsettia, argyranthemum, bacopa,bidens, fuchsia, chamaesyce, dahlia, diascia, lantana, lobelia, phlox,nemesia, sanvitalia, and scaevola. For example, the unrooted plantcuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ may be different varieties of calibrachoa species.The selected unrooted plant cuttings 4′, 6′, 8′ are inserted together ina single growth cell 10′ to produce a plurality of respective rootedcuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ in the single growth cell 10′. The rootedcuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ exhibit balanced growth, meaning that the rootedcuttings 14′, 16′, 18′ exhibit similar rooting times and growth rate.The balanced growth is the result of the rooted cuttings 14′, 16′, 18′having at least one compatible growth characteristic, such as rootingtime, plant vigor, and a combination thereof.

The method of the present invention simplifies prior processes ofproducing separate plants in separate growth cells and separatecultivation containers until pre-finished or finished plants areobtained and subsequently creating displays of a combination of theseparate plants by transplanting them into a common container. Themethod of the present invention provides a more efficient growth andcultivation of different plants that avoids producing multiple plants inmultiple cells and containers. In addition, the end user (such as agrower or homeowner) is spared the difficulty of selecting plants thatare attractive together and that are botanically compatible in a commoncontainer. The horticultural display of the present invention may beproduced by a professional breeder or grower to ensure attractivenessand plant compatibility.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention are describedabove, obvious modifications and alterations of the present inventionmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appendedclaims and equivalents thereto. It is intended that the invention beconstrued as including all such modifications and alterations insofar asthey come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalentsthereof.

1. A method of producing a flowering horticultural display comprising:providing a plurality of unrooted plant cuttings from differentflowering plant species; selecting at least two of the unrooted plantcuttings having compatible growth characteristics; inserting theselected unrooted plant cuttings together in a growth cell; and growingthe selected unrooted plant cuttings in the growth cell, therebyproducing a growth cell having a plurality of rooted cuttings fromdifferent flowering plant species, wherein the rooted cuttings exhibitbalanced growth prior to transfer to a single container.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising growing the rooted cuttings together inthe single container to produce a plurality of plants in a horticulturaldisplay in the single container.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thehorticultural display exhibits plants having balanced growth.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one compatible characteristic isrooting time.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least onecompatible growth characteristic is plant vigor.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising manipulating a rooting time of one or more of theunrooted plant cuttings.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprisingaltering plant vigor of one or more of the rooted cuttings.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein altering plant vigor comprises at least oneof: adjusting growth cell pH; regulating light exposure to the growthcell; regulating temperature of the growth cell; and applying a growthregulator to one or more of the rooted cuttings.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the plant cuttings are selected from the group consisting ofpetunia calibrachoa, verbena, pelargonium, new guinea impatiens,osteospermum, begonia, poinsettia, argyranthemum, bacopa, bidens,fuschia, chamaesyce, dahlia, diascia, lantana, lobelia, phlox, nemesia,sanvitalia, and scaevola plant species.
 10. The method of claim 2,wherein the plants exhibit complementary colors or contrasting colors orboth.
 11. The method of claim 2, wherein the horticultural display is apre-finished product or finished product.
 12. The method of claim 2,wherein the plants exhibit matching flowering times.
 13. A plant growthcell comprising rooting media and a plurality of rooted plant cuttingscomprising a plurality of different flowering plant species, wherein theplant cuttings have been rooted together in the rooting media by;selecting at least two of the unrooted plant cuttings having compatiblegrowth characteristics; inserting the selected unrooted plant cuttingstogether in a single growth cell; and growing the selected unrootedplant cuttings in the growth cell, thereby producing a growth cellhaving a plurality of rooted cuttings from different flowering plantspecies, wherein the rooted cuttings exhibit balanced growth prior totransfer to a single container.
 14. The plant growth cell of claim 13,wherein the compatible growth characteristic comprises rooting time orplant vigor or both.
 15. A flowering horticultural display comprising aplurality of plants of different flowering species grown from the plantgrowth cell of claim
 13. 16. The horticultural display of claim 15,wherein the plants exhibit balanced growth.
 17. The horticulturaldisplay of claim 15, wherein the plants have at least one compatiblegrowth characteristic comprising rooting time or plant vigor or both.18. The horticultural display of claim 15, wherein the plants arepre-finished and not producing flowers.
 19. The horticultural display ofclaim 15, wherein the plants are finished and producing flowers.
 20. Thehorticultural display of claim 15, wherein the plants exhibit matchingflowering times.